NinetynineCAT 2022 Slot 3 VARC Q20 Para Summary
Question 20 of the Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) section, CAT 2022 Slot 3, with CAT's official answer and a worked solution.
The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Tamsin Blanchard, curator of Fashion Open Studio, an initiative by a campaign group showcasing the work of ethical designers says, "We're all drawn to an exquisite piece of embroidery, a colourful textile or even a style of dressing that might have originated from another heritage. [But] this magpie mentality, where all of culture and history is up for grabs as 'inspiration', has accelerated since the proliferation of social media... Where once a fashion student might research the history and traditions of a particular item of clothing with care and respect, we now have a world where images are lifted from image libraries without a care for their cultural significance. It's easier than ever to steal a motif or a craft technique and transfer it on to a piece of clothing that is either mass produced or appears on a runway without credit or compensation to their original communities."
Tamsin Blanchard, curator of Fashion Open Studio, an initiative by a campaign group showcasing the work of ethical designers says, "We're all drawn to an exquisite piece of embroidery, a colourful textile or even a style of dressing that might have originated from another heritage. [But] this magpie mentality, where all of culture and history is up for grabs as 'inspiration', has accelerated since the proliferation of social media... Where once a fashion student might research the history and traditions of a particular item of clothing with care and respect, we now have a world where images are lifted from image libraries without a care for their cultural significance. It's easier than ever to steal a motif or a craft technique and transfer it on to a piece of clothing that is either mass produced or appears on a runway without credit or compensation to their original communities."
- AMedia has encouraged mass production; images are copied effortlessly without care or concern for the interests of ethnic communities.
- BCultural collaboration is the need of the hour. Beautiful design ideas of indigenous people need to be showcased and shared worldwide.
- CTaking fashion ideas from any cultural group without their consent is a form of appropriation without giving due credit, compensation, and respect.
- DCopying an embroidery design or pattern of textile from native communities who own them is tantamount to stealing and they need to be compensated.
Answer: (C) Taking fashion ideas from any cultural group without their consent is a form of appropriation without giving due credit, compensation, and respect. Para Summary MCQ
Solution
- Blanchard objects that cultural motifs are taken as 'inspiration' without care for their significance, 'without credit or compensation' to the original communities.
- C covers taking without respect, credit or compensation. A blames media for mass production, B praises collaboration, and D is narrower (only compensation) and overstates it as stealing designs the communities 'own'.